Toronto Maple Leafs: Young Buds Blooming at Right Time

Relative youngsters Tyler Bozak, Luca Caputti, and Nikolia Kulemin celebrate, along with Tomas Kaberle against the Ottawa Senators.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are seven and two over the last nine games and for the most part are playing smart fundamental hockey. The difference is, they are now doing it with almost dizzying speed.

Jonas Gustavsson is looking more and more confident with each game and his team mates are also more confident around him. It is a recipe for success to say the least.

The top line, which consists of Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, and Nikolai Kulemin have amassed 19 points in the last five games and Kessel himself has scored five goals in the last five games to lead the Leafs with 28 and finds himself in nineteenth spot over all in the NHL.

John Mitchell has also been on fire as of late, with three points in his last four games including two shoot out goals.

Despite having a couple of give aways, Tomas Kaberle is doing just fine as well. It's fun to watch him on a power play when he gets the puck down low in the offensive zone. The opposing players just back right off, it's amazing the amount of respect and fear he commands when he has the puck.

For those of you who are keeping track at home, the Buds are eleven points in front of the Pat Quinns' Oilers who still hold strong in the NHL's basement.

Though the Leafs aren't yet technically eliminated, we all know they won't make the playoffs this year. However, with ten games to go and nothing to lose, or prove really, it is still possible for them to finish in ninth or tenth!

This of course would be great news for all of those Leafs fans who are dreading the Bruins getting the first overall pick!

All in all, this has at once been one of the most forgettable, and one of the most memorable seasons the Leafs have ever had!

I can't wait for next year to start!